Heyyyy This is the revised chapter two, and while it used to exist in two parts I combined them in the re edit, so this is the complete chapter two.
Ina slowly closed the front door behind her before turning to lean on it. She replayed the whole meeting in her head, not sure if it had really happened. ' I'm really living next door to Alex Day, Michael Aranda, and Charlie McDonnell' She chuckled 'I guess I really did buy the right house'
Ina set about cleaning up the kitchen before heading back up to her bedroom. She unzipped her duffel, and proceeded to empty the contents onto the floor, a veritable heap of clothing, a pillow, bathroom supplies, books, and various bits and bobs appeared. The rest of her belongings were being shipped over from Oregon.
Ina sorted out her clothes, cursing for not having bought hangers while at the store. Soon the large heap was made into several more-organized piles. She gathered up her toiletries and headed into the master bathroom. Depositing her stuff on the counter she fished out a tooth brush and meticulously cleaned her teeth before heading for the shower.
Feeling clean and refreshed Ina dried her hair and slipped back into the same jeans from earlier, and a sweater that left her shoulders bare. She starred into her reflection in the mirror. Her almost black hair ended just below her shoulders. She tugged on the ends vaguely wishing it would do something, but let the stands fall from her hand, and threw on some make up. She slipped on her tennies, and wandered back towards the kitchen. The clock on her microwave read a few minutes 'till seven. She drummed her fingers on the counter waiting for another minute to tick by.
At two to seven Ina pulled on her coat. She took in a breath and paused in front of her door. 'They are just normal people' she reminded herself 'they are just your perfectly normal new neighbour whom with you will have a nice, normal dinner'. Ina locked her door, and walked over to Number 37.
She was greeted again by Michael, who took her coat and led her down to the living room. "I'm sorry, the rice took a bit long so dinner probably needs another couple minutes" He walked back into the kitchen. "Could you do me a favor - the boys are just upstairs, could you tell them dinner is ready for me?" Ina nodded, and headed to the base of the stairs. "Up the stairs and to the left is the office. I think they're still in there"
Ina's socked feet padded up the stairs as she peeked around the corner into the office. Laying on the floor of the larger section were Charlie and Alex still in their blue and green hoodies. Ina could hear the indistinct sounds of a TV, and rounded to corned to get a better view. The boys were laying on the ground watching Doctor Who on a laptop. She watched Matt smith leap around the TARDIS, explaining something to Amy. She leaned against the wall to get a better view when she remembered why she was up there in the first place.
"Um, Michael told me to tell you dinner is ready." Both boys turned to face her replying, in unison
"five more minutes". 'I see why Michael calls them "boys"'
"I'll let him know". She walked back the the Dining room, and delivered the message to the cook.
"That sounds like them" "Well you can take a seat if you'd like, I'm serving as we speak". Ina looked to the table, and pulled out the nearest chair.
Moments later Michael set a heaping plate in front of her, and took the seat on the diagonal from her. "Oh don't wait for them, dig in". Ina smiled and cut into her enchilada.
"Wow, this is amazing" Michael beamed.
"No really, I haven't had Mexican food this good since I was in Mexico!"
"I'm glad you like it, unfortunately it's about the only thing I can make" They shared a laugh.
A few bites later Charlie and Alex entered the dining room. Alex looked at them in mock outrage
"You started without us?"
"yeah, and what are you gonna do about it?" Michael challenged. Alex scowled and sat next to Ina, leaving the spot across from her for Charlie. Ina looked up as charlie say down 'Oh, his fringe just catches in his eyes, it's cute' she quickly looked down as she met Charlie's eyes. 'that's a little awkward', but she reached for her glass of water as she dismissed it. The sound of cutting and chewing filled the air before Alex broke the awkward silence.
"So, Ina, what brings you here from the states?" Ina quickly realized this was going to become a something she would have to answer a lot.
"Well I've always wanted to travel, find something new, and also I got a job here so it made sense to be close to work"
"What do you do?" asked Charlie
"I'm a bio-researcher. Lab work, but I love it. I'm also working in the job share program so I only work Mondays and Tuesdays, and spend the rest of my time as a costume seamstress" Alex laughed
"So have you created a mass killing flu yet?" Ina smiled at the thought
"No, I'm more of the let's-stop-disease side of it." Charlie laughed
"Really, Alex. I don't think our new neighbor is a terrorist" Ina smiled, but found herself avoiding Charlie's eyes.
"How's the moving in going?" asked Charlie, trying to steer the conversation back towards normalcy
"My stuff should arrive from America a week from Friday, so I have nine days to try and paint everything, before it gets a lot more difficult. I ordered all the paint yesterday, and I'm picking it up in the morning"
"Well I'm not doing anything tomorrow, so I'd be happy to help you with painting" offered Charlie. Alex and Michael offer their help as well.
"That would be really awesome, moving is never fun" Ina was more than thankful for the help, and she couldn't help the tiniest twinge of excitement in her stomach. 'I'm just being silly, I'm just excited to finally move in, and glad to get help. That's all' she reprimanded herself
"Sometimes it is though, like moving here. I was so excited for it. My first house! Especially since I had to move back in with my Mum, and don't get me wrong, I love her, it's just there was a reason I moved out." Ina looked up to finally meet Charlie's gaze, as she chuckled.
"Trust me, I've been there"
The conversation turned to flying, then London vs Portland weather and sights, and all too soon plates were getting cleared away. Then ten minutes later was once again standing at the door saying her goodbyes.
"Thank you so much for dinner, it was delicious!"
"It was nice to have you over, and feel free to knock on the door any time. We might not be in, but if we are it's always fun to have company" Charlie assured her. Ina paused peering around to say goodnight to Alex and Michael too, but they were still in the kitchen. Charlie seemed to pick up her train of thought
"Never mind those two, they're probably messing about downstairs"
"Well tell them goodnight for me, and I'll see them tomorrow"
"How's eleven sound?" Ina smiled again
"Eleven sounds perfect" Charlie pulled open the door, and Ina stepped through. She gave a final goodbye, before walking back home, smiling the whole way.
Ina opened her laptop and brought up her music. She mindlessly clicked on Chameleon Circuit, and tapped her finger to the beat, barely singing along. She blushed and stopped abruptly when she realized it was no longer Liam's voice she was following but Charlie's. The picture of his face at dinner popped into her head. Ina groaned and pulled her pillow over her head, trying to stuff out the slightly awkward embarrassment, but to no avail. It was too early to go to bed, so she set about taping the ceilings and trim in prep for the next day.